Comments on: Mapuru school kids “starving” for maths and English

By: William Tell

William Tell — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I think I can spot the problem - Christianity. Now if only this school had some problems - drugs, sexual abuse, petrol sniffing - it could make it into the fashionable investigative reports and be front page news. But the community is unfashionably Christian - and that upsets a lot of the congnoscenti. They are also an unfashionable homeland community - they don’t get it that they are a disfunctional manifestation of self determining families. They ought to submit to the view that they are uneconomic and move to the larger townships where they can benefit from programs for STDs, women’s refuges and alcohol recovery. But there they go - deluded by their beliefs in their God and in their capacity to take responsibility for themselves.

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately, Mapuru is not an isolated incident ... the provision of education for Aboriginal people in the NT is an absolute disgrace.

The amount of resources provided for the education of Aboriginal children is pitiful and makes the SA Government's resourcing (funding, plus staffing levels) of education in the AP Lands look brilliant.

The NT Government needs to be made to account for the money it receives from the Commonwealth for Indigenous education.

By: Maree Whitton

Maree Whitton — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Linda, This school sounds great, exactly the kind of school which is needed for indigenous children. This type of school will allow the children to obtain an excellent education and later, when they are ready, to come out into the wider community, find work and in turn be an inspiration to younger children in their community. All children black or white are entitled to a good and equal education. Why can’t we get a petition going and let the Government know that we want the very best for these children.

By: Graeme L

Graeme L — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

This is our wonderful NT Govt at work. Talk about one rule for one and another for the rest?? But as always it will be the fault of a previous Govt.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Not only does this story make you want to scream in frustration at the bureaucracy - because the racial discriminaton act has been suspended in the NT, the residents cannot even claim racial discrimination!

By: Blind Freddy

Blind Freddy — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

This pattern is repeated across the Territory and not just in education. When Indigenous people get control and get successful it scares the bureaucrats and pollies - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - and they shut it down. There are so many successful models around, and so many have been jumped on. It would all be very cheap and easy, but Indigenous people would have to be allowed to have control of their lives….not likely my luverlies.

By: dermot

dermot — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

anybody wanting to say “Scrymgour is aboriginal and knows best for her people?” anybodee?

By: kayt

kayt — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Such as sad story. Shame on the bureaucracy!

I wonder if the One Laptop Per Child program could help these kids, although the Aust Govt should probably pay for them and throw in a teacher!

Check it out at http://www.laptop.org

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

tiny aboriginal communities can never have the same level of government services enjoyed by larger towns. Even if as you say this community is largely free of the anti-social behaviour prevalent in many of these places, teachers, nurses, policement etc. would hardly want to be posted there and it is difficult for any government to meet the expense of education, health, and social services when there are numerous tiny and geographically remote communities.

If people want to live in tiny, remote and non-productive communities (aboriginal or farming) then accept that services will be minimal.